New York: Assembly to pass early voting legislation

by jmaloni

Press release

Tue, Apr 30th 2013 04:05 pm

Measure designed to increase access
for voters

In
order to encourage greater voter participation, shorten waits and lines at
polling places, and expand voting access for all New Yorkers, Speaker Sheldon
Silver and Chair of the Election Law Committee Michael Cusick today joined with
Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman to announce the Assembly's intention to
pass legislation (A.689-A) instituting early voting in New York state.

"Democracy
thrives when as many citizens as possible participate in the electoral process.
Yet New Yorkers can only vote for a candidate or a ballot proposition during a
set number of hours on a single day. For the health and vitality of our democracy,
our election law must be changed," Silver said. "We believe all New Yorkers,
regardless of their personal or professional time commitments, should be able
to vote in each and every election. Early voting will make voting easier, more
convenient and more accessible in our state."

The
measure, which is expected to pass the Assembly today, would institute early voting
for all general, primary and special elections in New York. Under the
provisions of this legislation, a 15-day early voting period for general
elections and an eight-day early voting period for primary and special
elections would be established.

"In
recent years, we have seen increasingly aggressive efforts to make it harder
for millions of Americans to vote. Here in New York we are pushing back,"
Schneiderman said. "Early voting will reduce barriers to participation that
particularly impact working people, and ensure that all New Yorkers have
an opportunity to participate in our democratic process. The time has come for
New York to join the dozens of states around country that allow early voting."

"Currently,
32 other states along with the District of Columbia have some form of early
voting in place. If you look at the history of low voter turnout and,
certainly, the problems caused by 'Superstorm' Sandy during this past Election
Day, it only makes sense to institute early voting. This legislation will make
it more convenient for workers with long commutes as well as seniors. It will
also alleviate confusion and strain at the polls on Election Day evidenced by
the fact that almost 30 percent of voters, nationally, chose to utilize early
voting in presidential elections," Cusick
said.

Voter
participation in November 2012 was approximately 59.5 percent in New York. This
is among the lowest in the nation. It is lower than the 64.2 percent turnout
rate for the 2008 general election.

According
to the U.S. Census Bureau, of registered non-voters, 18 percent reported that
they did not vote because they were too busy or because of conflicting work or
school schedules. An additional 15 percent reported they did not vote because
of an illness, disability or family emergency.

Under
the bill, each local board of elections must designate at least four polling
places for voters to cast an early ballot, in addition to a site at the local
BOE, for a total of at least five polling places. The bill allows the BOE the
flexibility to add additional early voting sites as needed. The sites must be
geographically located to provide voters equal access.

Early
voting polls would be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. each weekday, and 9 a.m. to 5
p.m. each Saturday and Sunday during the early voting period. Ballots cast
during the early voting period will be counted at the close of the polls on
Election Day and included in the election night tally.

Early
voting would be conducted in the same manner as takes place on Election Day.
Protocols for polling places would be the same. BOEs are required to provide
election inspectors and poll clerks at all early voting locations. Voters will
be notified by mail of the days, hours and locations of early voting sites.

Dick
Dadey, executive director for Citizens Union, said, "It is good to see the
Assembly poised to pass Speaker Silver's early voting legislation that will
reform our election process by making voting more accessible to New Yorkers.
This marks the first time any house in the New York State Legislature has
passed early voting, a reform already implemented in more than 30 other states,
which is critical to modernizing our elections. Early voting will make it more
convenient for voters to cast their ballot and encourage participation in our
democracy which is sorely needed since New York state ranks 48th among
states in voter turnout."

Susan
Lerner, executive director of Common Cause/NY, said, "Early voting is a proven
success. More than half the country has some form of early voting, and there's
no reason New Yorkers can't have the same expanded access to their polling
place. It's a safe, efficient, and sensible solution to the much-reported chaos,
which can occur on Election Day. The need is even more apparent after Hurricane
Sandy when the board of elections in the affected counties scrambled to assist
thousands of displaced voters, many of whom were not able to execute their
constitutional right to vote. New Yorkers faced long lines lasting up to
several hours at many poll sites across the state on Election Day, deterring
voters from exercising their right to vote. In Maryland, many voters took
advantage of early voting in anticipation of Hurricane Sandy and voted before
the storm hit. New Yorkers should have the same flexibility. We praise Speaker
Silver for taking steps to make voting more convenient for all New Yorkers and
urge the Senate to follow suit. Efficient, secure, reliable and open elections
should be a top priority for all of our government officials."

Diana
Kasdan, senior counsel for the Brennan Center for Justice, said, "After
Hurricane Sandy strained voters and poll workers last November, we all
recognize that change to our election system is vital. Fortunately, one part of
the solution, early voting, has a proven track record. It is already available
in more than half the country, hugely popular, and benefits election officials
and voters alike. New Yorkers deserve the same. Early voting can help ease the
burdens of Election Day administration and give more New Yorkers more
opportunities to make their voices heard at the ballot box. We urge both the
Assembly and the Senate to work together to bring early voting reform to New
York."

Barbara
Bartoletti, legislative director for the New York State League of Women Voters,
said, "The League applauds Speaker Silver and the Assembly for passage of this
early voting legislation. This will encourage better voter participation. And
we look forward to making this proposal law."